From discovering her passion for hospitality at Experience QRC to helping deliver award-winning dining experiences at Craggy Range Restaurant, QRC graduate Ruth James has built a career she is incredibly proud of.
Since graduating in 2020, Ruth has spent the past four and a half years growing her career at Craggy Range Winery in Hawke’s Bay, progressing through various roles to become Assistant Restaurant Manager.
Along the way, she has been part of some incredible achievements. In 2025, Craggy Range Restaurant was awarded its third hat at the Cuisine Good Food Awards and named Winery Restaurant of the Year. The restaurant went on to retain its prestigious three-hat status in 2026.
For Ruth, being part of these milestones alongside her team has been a career highlight.
Being able to experience these moments with the team and being able to keep our third hat this year, I am really proud of the part I have played along the way and the growth I have managed to achieve with the support of my team”
Where it all began
Ruth’s passion for hospitality started long before her career at Craggy Range. Having worked in cafés throughout her younger years, she always enjoyed the guest experience side of the industry.
However, it was attending Experience QRC while still at school that opened her eyes to the opportunities a career in hospitality could offer.
I had such a great time that I realised that I could see more of a future with hospitality.”
That experience led Ruth to enrol in QRC’s Diploma in Hospitality Management, where she developed her industry knowledge, practical skills and confidence while discovering the different career pathways available to her.
Taking her skills across the Tasman
As part of her studies at QRC, Ruth headed to Melbourne to complete her nine-month paid internship at Novotel Ibis Melbourne Central.
Working in a relatively new hotel gave her the opportunity to gain hands-on experience across several departments, from restaurant service and barista duties to minibar operations, functions, and conferences and events.
Rather than focusing on just one area, Ruth embraced the opportunity to experience different roles and discover what she enjoyed most.
Learning a range of different jobs during my internship was really beneficial to me, as I was able to pinpoint what I really wanted to do in the industry.”
Her internship became an important stepping stone, giving her a broader understanding of hotel operations and helping shape the direction of her future career.
Growing her career at Craggy Range
Today, Ruth is part of the leadership team at Craggy Range Restaurant, one of New Zealand’s leading winery dining destinations.
Having worked her way through several positions over the past four and a half years, stepping into the Assistant Restaurant Manager role has been one of her proudest personal achievements.
Being able to see how far I have come from only ever working in cafes before QRC to now working alongside an amazing, supportive and talented team.
While her career has taken her far beyond those early café roles, Ruth still draws on the skills she developed during her time at QRC.
One area that has proven particularly valuable is the Wine Elective she completed during her studies. Working at a winery restaurant, having that foundation has helped her quickly expand her knowledge of wine varieties, vintages and food pairings.
Whether recommending the perfect wine to complement a dish or helping guests explore something new, Ruth uses that knowledge every day to elevate their dining experience.
Just as importantly, the leadership skills she gained at QRC have helped her develop her own approach to supporting and guiding a team.
Understanding how not everyone learns the same way. I have been able to adapt different ways of showing and teaching people how to do things.
For Ruth, becoming a great leader is about more than managing day-to-day operations. It is about understanding people, recognising their strengths and creating an environment where everyone can grow.
Creating experiences worth remembering
Even with the recognition and success that comes with working at a three-hat restaurant, it is the personal connections that Ruth values most about hospitality.
From birthdays and anniversaries to proposals and honeymoons, she loves knowing that she and her team can play a small part in some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives.
Being a part of their celebration and making it a memorable experience for them is such a great feeling.”
Meeting guests from all walks of life is another part of the job she loves. Whether welcoming locals or travellers visiting Hawke’s Bay, Ruth enjoys hearing their stories, building connections and making every guest feel special.
It is that genuine passion for people that has remained with her from her very first hospitality job through to her current leadership role.
Ruth’s advice to QRC students
Looking back on her journey, Ruth’s biggest advice to current QRC students is simple: keep an open mind and make the most of every opportunity.
Even if you know what you are wanting out of QRC, learning different parts of different roles can be very beneficial.
Having experienced different areas of hospitality herself, Ruth knows how valuable it can be to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Sometimes, those experiences can help you discover a career direction you hadn’t previously considered.
She also encourages students to recognise the importance of asking for help and learning from those around them.
With having such a supportive team at Craggy I have learnt that I can always ask for help when needed and that I don’t have to do everything alone, they genuinely want me to succeed.”
For Ruth, the journey from QRC graduate to Assistant Restaurant Manager has been filled with learning, growth and some incredible achievements. While being part of a three-hat restaurant is certainly something to celebrate, what stands out most is Ruth’s appreciation for the people who have helped her get there and the guests who make her work so rewarding.
From her first Experience QRC visit to a leadership role in award-winning hospitality, Ruth’s journey in hospitality is a great example of where a passion for people, a willingness to learn and the right opportunities can take you.